Secretary of State Scott Gessler announced rule changes Wednesday including limiting some campaign-finance fines. The changes also raise the cap on donations to certain political groups before they have to report to the state.

Democrats and left-leaning activists opposed the rule changes, saying they make it easier for deep-pocket donors to influence campaigns. Other activists said campaign-finance rules needed clarification to make it easier for average folks to participate in politics.

Gessler made the final decision on the rule changes, as permitted under state law. They take effect March 7 and become permanent March 30.